[cid:image001.jpg@01D80C68.3D33B2C0] Call for Poetry - 2022 Your nature-inspired poem will be on display in the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden for one month, debuting during the largest garden event of the year. The City of Federal Way Arts Commission, in partnership with the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden (RSBG) and the Pacific Bonsai Museum, announce a Call for Poetry for the annual Blue Poppy Day festival to be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at RSBG. The RSBG is seeking nature-inspired poetry for display in the Rutherford Conservatory. Poets will be credited as desired and the poetry may be utilized in the promotion of the event. Now in its 10th year, Blue Poppy Day celebrates the natural beauty and talent in bloom in South Puget Sound. This free event includes access to a 22-acre woodland garden and two Himalayan Blue Poppy meadows, entry to Pacific Bonsai Museum, an art market, performances, food trucks, poetry garden, and more. Note: The RSBG and the City of Federal Way are taking steps to ensure that this event is safe for the public. As a result, some programming from previous years will be modified to encourage social distancing. Please email us at Info@RhodyGarden.org<mailto:Info@RhodyGarden.org> with any questions. Poetry Garden Information Each poem will be printed and staked in the beds in the Rutherford Conservatory at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. Event organizers will determine poetry placement. The Poetry Garden will be on display from May 20, 2022 through June 19, 2022. Poetry will be printed in the same typeface, with size variable depending on the length of the poem. How to Apply Poets must apply via email and include the following information: * Name * Home address * Phone number * Poem title (please list Untitled if you choose to not author a title) * Poem * Application must be submitted to Britt Board at britt@rhodygarden.org<mailto:britt@rhodygarden.org>. Application Deadline Applications must be received on or before March 21, 2022 by 4:00 p.m. Submissions received after this date will not be considered. Selection Criteria Deadline: Poetry must be submitted by Monday, March 21 at 4:00pm. * Poem must be 100 words or less (not to exceed 700 characters, including spaces; limited flexibility available, depending on size of overage). * Please submit no more than three poems for consideration. * Poem must connect to nature and the outdoors. * Artist must live in Puget Sound area, with special consideration to residents of South Puget Sound and Federal Way. * All types of poems will be considered, with the exception of blackout poetry, poems with images, or other types of poems that require specialized formatting beyond simple text. * All poems must be original works created by submitter. Selection Process The Selection Panel is composed of members of the Federal Way Arts Commission and community volunteers with an interest in the arts and poetry. Submissions are evaluated using a rubric based on connection to nature, artistic merit, selection criteria (outlined above). Thanks for sharing your talent! Questions? Email Info@RhodyGarden.org<mailto:Info@RhodyGarden.org>. Britt Board Program & Outreach Manager 253-838-4646 ext. 100 [cid:image002.png@01D80C68.3D33B2C0] [Image result for facebook logo] <https://www.facebook.com/RhodyGarden/> [Image result for instagram logo] <https://www.instagram.com/rhodygarden/>